Alcaraz 'Not Focusing' On Sinner's No. 1 Rank To Avoid 'Extra Pressure'
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Carlos Alcaraz was presented with a great chance to overtake Jannik Sinner as the World No. 1 on the ATP Tour, but he doesn't want to focus on that.
Alcaraz won two Grand Slams in 2024, but he didn't collect enough points in the regular ATP tournaments, which is why he has been far from the World No. 1 rank. That is currently occupied by Sinner, but the Italian player can't add to his total in the following three months.
Sinner has a total of 11,330 points, which will be next to his name after the 2025 Indian Wells Open. Alcaraz, on the other hand, is certain to have at least 6,560 points as he's defending his last year's win at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Indian Wells.
Although the Spaniard has some points to defend, so does his rival for the World No. 1 spot but the main difference is the fact that while Sinner won't be able to add any points because of his suspension, Alcaraz can.
Still, the World No. 1 rank seems to be too far away for him right now. He's well aware of that, and despite previously saying that Sinner's suspension didn't change his mindset, Alcaraz admitted that the possibility of reaching the World No. 1 rank is something that he thought about.
"Well, it's something that it is in the mind, but I'm not really focusing on it. Because in every tournament, I just focus on myself, I focus on, okay, I really want to play good tennis, I am focused on how I can be a better, better player."
"If I'm doing the right things in every tournament, the No. 1 is gonna come after. So if I'm thinking about the No. 1, I have to do good results, I have to win tournaments."
Alcaraz knows how important it is to play freely in tennis, which is why he wants to avoid putting any extra pressure on himself. He knows that chasing the World No. 1 rank could add plenty of pressure, and that's why he doesn't want to think about it.
"If I'm focusing on it just to recover the No. 1 I'm putting extra pressure on myself, which I don't want it. So I just keep going, focus on the things that I have to improve on myself, and we will see."
At the same time, Alcaraz is aware of the current huge gap between him and Sinner. It will be difficult for him to chase down the Italian, especially since he has a relatively challenging draw in Indian Wells. His next opponent will be Denis Shapovalov.
"But right now, even though Jannik is not here, it's really difficult to recover the No. 1. So let's see in a couple of weeks."
